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The Stylish Man Spotlight on Pins by Ferris

Damian aka Ferris

Posted on October 31 2017

Ryan Sprance is the Creator and Editor-In-Chief of TheStylishMan.com and Founder of Kaihatsu Media, LLC., an Influencer Marketing agency focused on developing brand awareness and social media growth.

I sat down with Ryan for an interview in early October.

Here is a direct link to the interview, however we have pasted here below as well: 

Ryan Sprance (Interviewer):

"We sat down with Damian, Founder of Pins By Ferris which designs and sells high end enamel pins. Pins were big in the 80’s and are having an incredible resurgence. Pins By Ferris has some our favorite nostalgic designs along with a few modern gems like a detailed and lifelike Drake pin. Damian (who looks nearly identical to Ferris Bueller or a young Matthew Broderick) gives us some insight into the company and design inspiration."

How did you come up with the idea?

I collected pins and patches in the 80's and when I was cleaning out a storage unit with my family last summer I came across all of them. My sister who lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn told me that pins were having a big resurgence so I started looking online for some retro designs like the neon palm tree and any of Tom Cruise, but I couldn’t find any. So I dug deeper over the holidays and found that none of the designs I wanted to wear on my jean jacket had been done yet. A few months later, Pins by Ferris, was born.

Tell us about the name ‘Pins By Ferris’

My whole life on even a daily basis sometimes people tell me that I look just like Ferris Bueller; the truth is it’s kind of creepy the resemblance a young Matthew Broderick and I share. Some people have gone as far to say I sound just like him and have similar mannerisms.  Since all the other names I had were taken, I decided to go with the 80s hero since its my favorite movie and a recent halloween picture would help share in the inside joke (see my first Instagram post).

What is your brand identifier?
I think it comes down to nostalgia for super iconic products, people, or imagery from the 80s and 90s that can evoke a flashback or montage from your childhood or teenage years that were filled with some of your fondest memories. These little pins just have a deeply personal connection that means something special to each of us. For me, the SONY Sports Walkman pin is a perfect example. The yellow Sports Walkman was considered for many their first “luxury” purchase or “have to have” that you saved up for. It was an icon of cool and it played the music that you were just discovering or obsessed with as a kid. Regarding the font I used for my logo, it was a no brainer – the 80s style with neon pink!

 

Do you see yourself expanding into other product lines?
Yes for sure, after my upcoming batch of new pin releases slated for mid-November, in time for holidays, I’d like to get into fanny-packs, tie clips, and cuff links. I have a few collaborations also to announce before the end of the year like with Breakroom ’86, the 80s bar & karaoke lounge in Los Angeles and The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Why do you think Pins are back in a big way?

I think pins are back for two reasons. The first relates to those hipsters in Brooklyn. Williamsburg continues to be a hot bed of creativity and “cool”. There is a love for mashing up the old with the new.  People are on a digital overload and something as simple as an analog pin that is inexpensive, subtle, and shows your personality is pretty rad. Second, the emoji phenomenon. Emoji’s used in text messages over 6 years ago were reserved for the nerds. I can remember downloading the emoji app so I could add them to my keyboard and girls would say I was weird when I’d use them. How things change. Enamel Pins are just an endearing extension of emojis, The vintage jean jacket is also having a major moment as well.

What is your favorite pin?
Can I say 2?! The Big Lebowski pin of Walter Sobchak I am obsessed with. It was very difficult to make and I love wearing it on my dad’s old army issued jacket.  My other favorite is the neon palm tree pin because it looks super cool on your blazer or suit jacket lapel and it is also my best seller.

 

The Stylish Man: Thanks for sharing with us. 

Pins by Ferris: Thanks Ryan

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